Because they offer a warm and dry environment, attics attract a wide range of wild animals seeking shelter. Many homeowners first become aware of the issue when they hear noises coming from above their head in the ceiling/attic. Determining what has taken up residence in the highest level of your home is the first step in addressing the problem.
Signs of Squirrels
If squirrels have made a home in your attic, expect to hear noise throughout the day as they are not nocturnal in general, with the highest levels of activity in the early morning and just before sunset. Squirrels tend to move in a fast scamper, and you may hear the creatures rolling nuts across your ceiling. Because squirrels typically stay close to where they entered your attic, the noise they make will likely be concentrated near the edge of your roof; however, they may enter your walls, causing you to hear their scurrying up and down as well.
Signs of Raccoons
Because raccoons are nocturnal, most of the noise from a raccoon infestation will come at night. Raccoons must leave your attic to forage for food, so most noise from raccoons will occur just after sunset and right before sunrise. Raccoons are large and rather heavy, so their movement will sound more like heavy footsteps than a squirrel’s light scampering, some have reported it sounds like a person crawling around above their heads. Unlike most other animals that can get into attics, raccoons also vocalize; if you hear growling or chattering coming from above your ceiling, raccoons are the likely culprit.
Signs of Rats or Mice
Much like squirrels, rats and mice typically generate a quick, light scurrying sound; unlike squirrels, however, rats and mice make most of their noise at night as they are nocturnal. Mice and rats often move quite fast. Depending on the acoustics of your attic, these tiny creatures can sound much larger than their actual size.
Signs of Bats
Like raccoons, bats are nocturnal. However, unlike raccoons, bats tend to be quiet when in small numbers. Most homeowners will not notice any noise from a small infestation of bats but if they do it is usually a soft chirping sound. A large swarm of bats in the hundreds or thousands, on the other hand, will make a huge commotion; in these numbers, homeowners will be able to hear the bats’ flying, squeaking and crawling.
Signs of Opossums
Opossums are nocturnal, so homeowners with opossums in their attic will hear the most noise at night. While these animals are generally quiet, opossums are also rather heavy. If you do hear evidence of these creatures, the noises will sound like heavy, slow walking.
What to do when you do hear noises in your attic
Whether you have a family of Rats or Raccoons taking up residents in your attic you will want them removed. Wildlife trapping by an expert like Miller’s Rodent and Wildlife Solutions is your best and safest bet. Rat trapping, raccoon trapping, squirrel trapping and bat “trapping” are all a bit different and require knowledge and a special skill set that we have learned over years of experience. As a family-owned and operated company, Miller’s Rodent and Wildlife Solutions top priority is to handle your wildlife problems both effectively and humanely while providing you information and education to give you peace of mind while dealing with an unpleasant and sometime unsettling process. Please call or text us today at (941) 302-6009 for more information about our wildlife removal services and to set up a inspection .
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